The Beast's Roast

7

After cleaning Maya's face and making her lunch, Carlos paced around in his room. The one thing he never wanted to happen had happened and he was the only one to blame, or at least he saw it that way. He ran the situation through his head a million times, thinking about what he could've done differently and no matter what he came up with, it wasn't enough, he always failed.

He had to do something to make sure his father would never lay a hand on his sister ever again. But what could he do? He thought about calling child protective services, but they would separate the two of them, he thought about calling the police but that was basically the same thing. He sat on his bed and ran his hands through his hair, he winced as he touched the wound from when his father slammed his head against the wall. He looked at his hand, a small blood stain on his fingers, he growled and flopped backwards into his bed.

He thought as he stared at the glow in the dark stars on his ceiling, what was he supposed to do now? He couldn't leave to go to college now that he knew what his father was capable of,  and just as he thought of that another question popped into his brain. What if he didn't go to college?

He sat up quickly and opened his closet, grabbed an empty bag and started to put his clothes inside of it. He paused for a moment. Was he really going to run away from home? He had thought about it many times and had already ,made some plans, but maybe he was being too drastic, he looked around his room, begging the universe for a signal. He didn't believe in faith, he was a science man after all, but he was desperate. As he looked around his room he felt unsure, he didn't know what to do. The sound of someone humming snapped him out of his thoughts.

He stood up and followed the sound down the hall, into the dining room. He saw Maya coloring as she ate a sandwich he had made for her, despite everything that had just happened to her she was smiling. Carlos saw that smile and felt a calming wave rush through his body, he shook his head. He was overreacting, it was only the first time this had happened after all, he was willing to give his father another try. He walked towards Maya and sat down next to her at the dining table.

Hey Maya, What are you drawing? - He smiled as he looked at his sister's drawing.

In the paper Maya had drawn a beautiful butterfly, its wings were different colors and a part of the right wing seemed to be broken. Carlos stared at Maya as she colored, he liked the way she stuck her tongue out and squinted her eyes. She turned to Carlos and smiled

It's a butterfly! - She held her drawing up for her brother to see it - It's like the one Mamá drew

Their mom was a children's book illustrator, Maya's favorite book was one she wrote and illustrated. It was about a butterfly who could not fly because of a wound on its wing, all the other butterflies made fun of it because of that, but in the end it proved that its disability didn't make it less, but it made it different and therefore special. Basic kid's book stuff.

I can see that - Carlos smiled and held the drawing up to see it better - it's really pretty.

Thank you! - Maya smiled as she grabbed another piece of paper to start a new drawing - i want to be a drawer, just like mamá, when i grow up

A drawer? - Carlos let out a small chuckle - I think you mean you want to be an artist Frijolito

What's the difference? - Maya turned to her brother, she tilted her head in confusion

Well, for starters, a drawer is a piece of furniture. - Carlos explained as he smiled - An artist is a person who makes money by drawing things. Just like mamá did
 
Oh, well, then I want to be an artist. Being a drawer seems boring, you just sit there! -  Maya laughed at her own comment

Carlos laughed with her, he stared at her face, his smile faded as he noticed her swollen eye. He couldn't help but ask himself how a person was even capable of doing that to such a sweet kid. Sure Maya was careless sometimes, but that was no reason for her father to treat her that way. He could have just spoken to her, or at least that was what Carlos thought, given that he would always handle those situations that way, he felt Maya was smart enough to understand things and make decisions. As he thought about it he had another idea.

Hey, Maya? - Carlos spoke softly as he looked at his sister

Yeah? -  Maya kept her eyes on her drawing, clearly paying more attention to it than to whatever her brother was talking about

Frijolito, i need you to look at me - Carlos said as he placed his hand gently on Maya's shoulder. Maya turned around to stare at him

Did I do something wrong? - she frowned and backed up a little, Carlos frowned and shook his head

No no, of course not. I just need to ask you something. - Carlos made a pause and looked into Maya's eyes - but I need you to be completely honest, okay?

okay...- Maya nodded slowly, clearly nervous about what her brother might ask her

Carlos remained silent for a moment, thinking about the question he was about to make, he took a deep breath and asked

Maya...Are you happy?

Maya stayed quiet, she tilted her head and looked at her brother in confusion.

Are you being silly Carlos? - Maya giggled and poked his nose - because that is a silly question - she turned her attention back to her drawings

No, Maya pay attention! - Carlos huffed and raised his hand to run it through his hair. He saw Maya flinch as he did so, he put it down rapidly and frowned- Frijolito, i know things haven't been the best lately, i also know you have been fighting at school, and i worry there's something that bothers you. That's why I am asking, because I care. Remember Maya,- he looked into his sister's eyes with a gentle smile- you can trust me.

Maya put her crayons down and frowned, she looked at her brother, tears were forming in her eyes.

If i tell you the truth, you're going to get mad and hurt me, just like daddy did

No i won't, i'm not like dad, you can trust me - Carlos spoke gently, he extended his hand and put his pinky out as he smiled reassuringly - pinky promise

okay - Maya put her pinkie out and wrapped it around her brother's as she wiped the tears off her eyes - i get sad sometimes, mostly when daddy is around... - she spoke quietly as she looked down - sometimes i feel like he doesn't like me

Carlos frowned as he listened to his sister, for a child her age to feel that way was awful, he couldn't help but feel guilty, there must have been something he could have done. Wasn't there?.

But when im with you i don't feel sad - Maya looked up at her brother and smiled softly - you're like my big brother and my dad, but a dad that is nice to me

Tears formed on Carlos' eyes, he leaned forward and hugged Maya tightly as he sniffled, he felt Maya's tiny hands on his back reciprocating the hug, he felt so sad and happy at the same time, happy that Maya felt safe with him and that she knew he cared, but sad that she even needed another father figure in her life, most of all that she felt like her actual father didn't even love her. It was at that moment he knew what he had to do. He pulled himself away from the hug and looked into Maya's eyes.

Frijolito, Would you like to go on a trip with me? - He said determined as he smiled

Really? - Maya smiled excitedly

yes! - Carlos smiled back as he nodded. - pack your bags, we leave tomorrow before school

YAY! NO SCHOOL!! - Maya yelled as she jumped off her chair and ran into her room

Carlos watched her leave with a smile, which faded as soon as he realized what he was about to do. It was the hardest choice he had to make, but if making that choice meant that he could see that little girl smile everyday without fearing her father, then every difficulty was worth it.